Who We Are
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program connects kūpuna to fresh, local produce
Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements to receive SFMNP benefits are as follows:
- Age: Participants must be at least 60 years of age.
- Income: Maximum household income of 185% or below of the US Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Individual Household — $33,281.50
Two-Person Household — $44,992.00
Add $11,710.50 per additional household member - Residency: Participants must be a resident of the State of Hawaiʻi and must reside in the county of the service area they apply to.
- Applicants must be certified to participate each year. There is a limited number of coupons that are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Deadline for Application
This program is seasonal, and it is very popular. Submit your application as soon as possible as spaces are extremely limited. Most spaces fill up by May or June. Applicants who apply after the program is full will be waitlisted.
Participation in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program requires advance registration. To see if you qualify or to register for the program, contact Jennifer Schantz, director of kūpuna programs, at jennifer@hawaiifoodbank.org or 808-954-7868.
Find Participating Farmers
Use the map below to find farmers in your area who accept SFMNP coupons.
Become a Farm Partner
The goal of SFMNP is to increase seniors’ access to nutritious, local foods while also aiding in the expansion and development of local markets. This makes it a great program that benefits both our kūpuna and you — our local farmers!
- To become a certified farmer for SFMNP, you will need to:
- Complete, sign and return the following documents below:
- Attend a brief informational meeting, which we will schedule once we receive your documents.
- Provide, at minimum, 55% locally grown produce.
Email completed documents to jennifer@hawaiifoodbank.org or mail to:
Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Attn: Jennifer Schantz
2611 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96819
Commonly asked questions about the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
How can I apply for the program?
There are a few different ways you can apply for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), especially if this is your first time participating.
Option 1: Online Application (recommended)
One option for applying to the program is through our online application platform. We highly recommend applying online, as the program fills up very quickly each year, and online applications are the fastest way to secure your spot in the program. Applying online also helps prevent applications from getting lost or delayed in the mail.
- Visit our website at HawaiiFoodbank.org
- Hover over the “Get Help” tab at the top of the page
- Find the “For Kūpuna” section
- Click “Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program”
- Select “SFMNP Online Application”
This will take you directly to the application, which you can fill out and submit online.
Option 2: Paper Application (by mail)
We can mail you a paper application. To do so, we’ll just need the following information:
- First and last name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- How many applications you’d like to request
Option 3: Downloadable Application
You may also apply using the downloadable application available on the same SFMNP webpage. Simply print the application, complete it at your convenience, and mail it to us when you are ready.
When can I use my SFMNP coupons?
Each year, SFMNP runs from the beginning of April through the end of October. If you received SFMNP coupons, please use them before October 31. After that date, participating farmers will no longer be able to accept the coupons.
I participated in the program last year. How will I know when the program begins for this year?
If you submitted an application for SFMNP during the previous program year — regardless of whether you received coupons — you will automatically be added to our mailing list for the current year.
Once the current year’s SFMNP application becomes available, Hawai‘i Foodbank will mail an application to you. Please note that applications from previous years cannot be accepted. Applicants must complete and submit the current year’s application in order to be considered for the program.
I've participated in the program and gotten coupons in the past, but I haven't received any this year. Is there a reason why?
SFMNP operates on a first-come, first-served basis. As the years go by, the program continues to grow in popularity as more people learn about it, and because of this, the program fills up very quickly.
On average, we receive between 6,000 and 7,000 applications each year when the program opens, including both paper and online applications. We are limited in the number of participants we can serve on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, and unfortunately, we are not always able to provide coupons to everyone who applies.
Please keep in mind that even if you received coupons every year you previously participated in the program, this does not guarantee that you will receive coupons every year moving forward.
If I've participated before, do I need to apply again?
Yes. A new SFMNP application must be completed each year when the program begins. Applications are updated annually to reflect the current program eligibility requirements and funding guidelines, so applications from previous years cannot be reused or processed.
Please make sure to submit the current year’s application when applying for the program. Outdated applications cannot be accepted and may delay the processing of your application.
I received my coupons. Where can I use them?
A list of participating farmers’ markets and farm stands where you can use your coupons will be included in the envelope with your coupons when we mail them to you. Also included is some additional nutrition information that you can read on your own time.
I submitted my application. How long until I receive my coupons?
Processing times vary each year depending on the volume of applications received. Hawai‘i Foodbank receives a high number of applications annually, and our Kūpuna Programs team works to process applications and mail coupons as quickly as possible.
To help avoid delays, please submit only one application per person. Multiple applications require additional review to investigate duplicate submissions, which slows processing for all applicants. Please also ensure that your application is fully completed. Applications with missing or incomplete information cannot be processed.
Applicants should continue to check their mail for a letter from Hawai‘i Foodbank. The letter will either include a coupon booklet or a notice that the applicant has been placed on the waitlist.
I lost my coupons. Can I be sent more?
Unfortunately, no. Once SFMNP coupons have been issued, they cannot be replaced or resent if they are lost or misplaced. The coupons are treated similarly to cash and cannot be reissued after they have been mailed or distributed.
If you have lost your coupons, please contact us to let us know. We may be able to connect you with Hawai‘i Foodbank food distributions and other community resources where you can access fresh produce and food assistance.
I've spent all my coupons. Can I apply again to receive more?
Unfortunately, no. Participants may only receive one set of SFMNP coupons per program year. If you need additional food assistance, please contact us. We can connect you with Hawai‘i Foodbank food distributions in your area.
If transportation is a challenge, can someone else redeem my coupons for me?
Yes. If you are unable to go to the farmers’ market yourself, your designated proxy may use the coupons on your behalf to purchase eligible fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey from authorized farmers.
How do I know which vendors accept coupons?
Participating farmers will display a sign at their booth showing that they accept SFMNP coupons. You can also check the list included with your coupons, which shows participating farmers and market locations islandwide.
How do I add my name to next year's program mailing list?
If you received SFMNP coupons this year, or if you received a notice informing you that you were placed on the waitlist, we already have your mailing address on file and you will automatically receive a letter before next year’s program begins with information on how to apply for the 2027 program.
If your mailing address or contact information changes, please contact us directly so we can update our records and ensure future mailings reach you.
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